Flemish valorisation programme stimulates development of technologies for Einstein Telescope

The Flemish Einstein Telescope team and the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) have set up a valorisation programme. A special committee has also been formed to encourage collaborating companies, knowledge institutions and newly formed consortia to develop technologies needed for the Einstein Telescope. VLAIO has subsidies available for this purpose.

The aim is that these technologies can also play a role in other sectors and thus ensure valorisation in the form of spin-offs, new turnover for companies and associated new jobs.

The mandate for this programme comes from the Flemish government, which has made it a priority to build the Einstein Telescope in the border region of Flanders, Wallonia, the Netherlands and North Rhine-Westphalia, in collaboration with the EMR partners. This is a structural programme spanning several years.

Technologies

The programme committee has identified a number of technology areas that, from a Flemish perspective, best match the expertise already available within universities, knowledge institutions and innovative businesses:

• Optics: advanced optical components and systems and innovative production techniques.
• Vibration damping: new techniques for the design and manufacturability of vibration-free main and auxiliary systems.
• Vacuum technology: high vacuum quality, stringent material requirements, geometric stability and complexity of underground installation and maintenance.
• Sensors: ultra-sensitive sensors, complex instrumentation networks and reliable control systems.
• Computational and data-driven technologies: groundbreaking technologies for the real-time analysis of enormous amounts of complex data.
• Digital technology and automation: innovative technologies for the efficient construction, assembly and use of instruments and infrastructure.
• Future-proof construction: integration of efficient, vibration-free, circular and sustainable construction innovations in underground infrastructure.

Meeting

To explain the technology areas and subsidy opportunities for knowledge institutions and companies, VLAIO and the Flemish Einstein Telescope team have planned a meeting on 18 June in Leuven. The meeting is for Flemish companies and knowledge institutions.